The 2025 golf season was anything but dull—controversies, fan chaos, rule debates and unexpected drama dominated the headlines.
From Ryder Cup drama to LIV Golf disputes, the 2025 golf season delivered more than just athletic excellence. It was a year of heated debates, rule confusion, and viral moments that kept fans and players on edge. Here’s a look back at the most talked-about stories in golf.
Ryder Cup Chaos: Captains, Crowds and Controversies
Keegan Bradley made headlines not just as Team USA’s Ryder Cup captain, but as a top-10 player in the rankings after winning the Travelers Championship. The age-old question of whether a captain can also play was reignited, but Bradley ultimately stayed on the sidelines. Meanwhile, fans stole the spotlight—Rory McIlroy faced boos and heckling, Shane Lowry escorted a fan to security, and the prize money debate flared up again. For the first time, only Team USA received official compensation, prompting McIlroy to quip he’d pay to play on Sunday.
Viktor Hovland’s neck injury triggered a rarely-used rule: his opponent earned half a point without a single shot. The incident split opinions. Adding to the oddities, a Ryder Cup merchandise shirt featuring a silhouette resembling McIlroy mysteriously disappeared from the shop.
PGA vs. LIV: The Battle Continues
Wesley Bryan was suspended by the PGA Tour after playing in “The Duels,” a YouTube event backed by LIV Golf. While Bryan defended his professionalism, Phil Mickelson criticized the suspension as an attack on entrepreneurial freedom. Ironically, Grant Horvat, who hosted the event on his channel, had been invited to PGA events. The saga added another chapter to the ongoing PGA vs. LIV feud.
Elsewhere, Sophia Popov’s season was derailed by an administrative error. After receiving LPGA approval to play, she competed in three events—only to be told later she wasn’t eligible. Her points and earnings were revoked, ending her bid for a 2026 Tour card.
Tech Fails, Slow Play and Viral Moments
Rory McIlroy’s driver failed a USGA test at the PGA Championship, sparking speculation about his Masters win. Though the issue was meant to be confidential, it leaked—unlike Scottie Scheffler’s similar case, which remained anonymous. McIlroy questioned the selective disclosure.
Slow play remained a hot topic. Tom Kim embraced the TGL’s shot clock to improve his pace, while Alejandro Tosti was accused of using slowness as a tactic. At the Open Championship, rounds stretched to six hours. J.J. Spaun even received a warning for exceeding 50 seconds on a shot.
Finally, Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester went viral at the Masters—not for his play, but for relieving himself in Rae’s Creek due to a lack of nearby restrooms. In a club where sitting on the grass is frowned upon, the moment became an unforgettable footnote to 2025.